Dr. David Brownstein, M.D
Dr. David Brownstein,  editor of Dr. David Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health newsletter, is a board-certified family physician and one of the nation’s foremost practitioners of holistic medicine. Dr. Brownstein has lectured internationally to physicians and others about his success with natural hormones and nutritional therapies in his practice. His books include Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do!; Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It; Salt Your Way To Health; The Miracle of Natural Hormones; Overcoming Arthritis, Overcoming Thyroid Disorders; The Guide to a Gluten-Free Diet; and The Guide to Healthy Eating. He is the medical director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, Mich., where he lives with his wife, Allison, and their teenage daughters, Hailey and Jessica.

Tags: atrial fibrillation | aging | high blood pressure
OPINION

Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation

David Brownstein, M.D. By Tuesday, 30 July 2019 04:14 PM EDT Current | Bio | Archive

Atrial fibrillation, a quivering irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke, is more common in elderly people than in younger people. It is estimated that the risk for developing the condition, for both men and women over age 40, is approximately 25 percent.

Multiple risk factors are linked to atrial fibrillation, including:

• Advanced age

• Alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking

• Cardiomyopathy

• Congestive heart failure

• Family history of the condition

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Lung diseases

• Obesity

• Sleep apnea

• Stimulant exposure (caffeine, tobacco, and allergy, cold, and sinus medications)

• Strenuous activity and exercise

• Stress due to surgery, pneumonia, or other illnesses

• Thyroid problems, particularly hyperthyroidism

• Viral infections

I have seen many patients develop atrial fibrillation from drinking too much alcohol. In medical school, we referred to this condition as “holiday heart.”

I have also witnessed atrial fibrillation triggered from consuming too many caffeinated beverages and taking allergy and cold medications.

There is also a fairly common occurrence of atrial fibrillation in people who have no risk factors. This is referred to as lone atrial fibrillation.

In such cases, the cause is unknown, and the condition will often spontaneously resolve.

© 2025 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.


Dr-Brownstein
Atrial fibrillation, a quivering irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke, is more common in elderly people than in younger people.
atrial fibrillation, aging, high blood pressure
208
2019-14-30
Tuesday, 30 July 2019 04:14 PM
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